ISG15 in antiviral immunity and beyond

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Virology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Viral infections trigger type I interferons, upregulating hundreds of interferon-stimulated genes.
• Ubiquitin-like protein ISG15 (Interferon-Stimulated Gene 15) is a key interferon-induced protein in host antiviral responses.
• ISG15's protective mechanisms are diverse and pathogen-specific.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review new insights into how ISG15 directly inhibits viral replication.
• To discuss ISG15's modulation of host damage repair, immune responses, and signaling pathways.
• To explore viral immune evasion strategies targeting ISG15.

Main Methods:

• Review of recent scientific literature on ISG15 function during viral infections.
• Integration of findings on ISG15's direct antiviral actions and host-modulating effects.
• Discussion of ISG15 deficiency and its cellular receptor in the context of viral immunity.

Main Results:

• ISG15 directly inhibits viral replication through various mechanisms.
• ISG15 influences host damage repair, immune signaling, and other cellular pathways.
• Viruses have evolved strategies to counteract ISG15's antiviral functions.

Conclusions:

• ISG15 plays a multifaceted role in antiviral defense, extending beyond direct viral inhibition.
• Understanding ISG15's interactions with host pathways and viral evasion is critical.
• ISG15 deficiency and its receptor offer new perspectives on ISG15's function in host-viral interactions.